Today I just happened upon Waco, TX local downtown farmers market. Despite temps well over 100º and high humidity, this place was busy and cheerful. This mainly locals hangout is situated along the banks of the Brazos river in a spacious public park.
I was struck by the welcoming layout–around a small roundabout circle and then it extended along a tree lined street for a short distance. People parked a short distance away in an open grassy field. There was a nice balance of prepared foods, teas, salt blends, handcrafted artisan soaps, and your typical farm stands with baskets of fresh veggies. Lots of people. I felt relaxed–it was a short walk from the hotel we were staying in.
I walked around and talked to many people-asking about their farms and growing practices. I had a lovely conversation with a kindred soul who is a passionate herbal crafter/entrepreneur doing a lot of exciting things with her homemade products; connecting and inspiring folks while getting natural deodorants and lip balms into the hands of local Baylor University students. It was affirming to know that she and I are doing a similar amount of weekly market business. Sharing ideas and hopes to grow our herbal homegrown businesses was fun. It is great to share information and inspirational stories. It feels important to me to see how others see the market experience and what is reasonable to achieve in growth and where best to spend one’s finite energies.
A man provided some easy listening music on his guitar and children were hanging out by the hula hoops in the center of the market (and near the ice cream stand). We had to sample the frozen treats on the blistering hot noontime hour.
On our way out of the market, I was stopped by a young man whose business was just getting started. He gifted me with a small bouquet of home harvested flowers, perhaps a bit weary from the day, but a pleasant reminder of the day now in our hotel room.
What defines this market? Their focus is on local more than organic.Yes, you can find an organic roll and a gluten free crepe (as I did), but items have to be farmed and created within 150 miles of Waco. I counted 44 booths. Most vendors are there for the season paying a nominal booth fee, but there are plenty that decide when they want to come. The numbers will vary week to week. Their spots are determined by their commitment. Their operating hours are Saturdays 9-1p.m. year round or as weather allows and they also have a seasonal Tuesday evening market 3-7p.m. taking a break during the extreme hot summer months of August and September, and also 2 months in winter.
I was excited for the chance to explore and investigate how this market was similar and different from the Boulder Farmers Market — which recently was voted Best Farmers Market by USA Today. I will use this opportunity to learn how I might improve my market business and to learn how to best serve others. Waco has a very homey market, with lots of handwritten labels that focus more on the product than on the packaging. Simplicity! A strong local following. People came to eat and relax — not so concerned about labeling. Actually, some did not really know how to answer my questions about where there farm is located, how they grow their food, etc.,but they had fun.
The market experienced early season weather challenges just like we did in Boulder, but it did seem like a growing and supportive environment that could only grow as the town of Waco is starting to grow (since the last time we were in Waco 4 years ago for the same reason — NBLL SW Regional championship games — because who else would schedule a trip to come to Waco in this Texas summer heat if they didn’t have a darn good reason to do so?) It felt strange not to be tending my own booth, but knowing that I needed to be here for my son, has given me an opportunity to do some market research and come back with some new knowledge for my work.